By Alhaji Haruna Sani
During her engagement with members of the media on Tuesday, November 26, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, unveiled a transformative development plan for the city, with a centerpiece being the proposed $92 million cable car project.
The project aims to address Freetown’s transportation challenges and is part of the broader 2024–2028 FCC Development Agenda.
In his opening remarks, FCC Chief Administrator Rahman Tom Farma welcomed the press and emphasized that the event promotes transparency and accountability in the council’s developmental activities.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted the achievements of her first-term “Transform Freetown” agenda, which focused on addressing structural challenges and improving lives by creating 120,000 decent jobs for women and youth by 2028.
Building on that foundation, the 2024–2028 agenda which is in line with central government agenda introduces an inclusive approach, focusing on Climate Action, Heritage Tourism, Digital Economy, and Human Capital Development.
Addressing the city’s transportation issues, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr detailed the proposed cable car project, which is expected to revolutionize urban mobility in Freetown.
She said following a two-and-a-half-year feasibility study, the project is estimated to cost $92 million. It aims to transport between 60,000 and 80,000 passengers daily, with a capacity of 6,000 passengers per hour across key points in the city.
The Mayor assured that the project has received central government support and discussions with donor partners are underway to secure funding. To ensure reliability, the cable cars will be powered by a $6 million solar plant (included in the total cost), supplemented by generators and the national power grid to mitigate Freetown’s inconsistent energy supply.
The Mayor outlined other critical pathways in the FCC’s 2024–2028 plan, including, reforestation and investment in green energy, expanding the waste management value chain, city regeneration, informal settlement upgrades, and green mobility, promoting Freetown as a heritage tourism destination through cultural festivals and creative arts, enhancing digital skills and enabling digital transformation.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also pointed to land use planning and building permit issuance as persistent challenges, which have yet to be devolved to local councils. She expressed optimism that the ongoing review of the Town and Country Act would address those issues, enabling effective urban management and environmentally sensitive actions.
With Freetown’s population projected to double by 2028, the Mayor emphasized the urgency of those interventions to transform lives and create a sustainable future for the city.
